Week 8 delivered another wild slate of games—explosive performances, breakout roles, surprising injuries and usage shifts that fantasy managers need to pay attention to. From dominant running backs to wide-receiver role changes and quarterback shakeups, here are 21 key takeaways from this week: broken down by Overperformers, Underperformers, Drop Candidates and Injuries/Role-Watch.
Overperformers
Drake Maye (QB, NE) — Maye turned in another electric performance, piling up 282 passing yards, three touchdowns, and 50 rushing yards against a brutal Browns defense. Despite taking six sacks, he maintained complete command of the offense, extending plays and delivering strikes downfield. He’s now topped 23+ fantasy points in four of his last five games, joining legends like Brady, Rodgers, Manning, and Mahomes as the only QBs with 200+ yards and a 100+ passer rating in seven straight games. The rookie left the field to MVP chants, and it’s not just hype — he’s firmly in the conversation, sitting inside single-digit odds alongside Mahomes and Allen.
Breece Hall (RB, NYJ) — After weeks of frustration, Hall erupted in a vintage, do-everything performance that reminded fantasy managers just how dominant he can be. He rushed 18 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns, added two catches for 14 yards, and even threw a four-yard touchdown pass to Mason Taylor to seal the Jets’ thrilling 39-38 win over the Bengals — their first victory of the season. Hall hadn’t topped 15 fantasy points all year before this outburst, but when the offense runs through him, he’s nearly unstoppable. The talent has never been in question; the Jets just need to keep letting him cook.
Jonathan Taylor (RB, IND) — Taylor is playing out of his mind right now, and Week 8 was another masterpiece. He erupted for 153 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries, adding a 21-yard receiving score to cap a three-touchdown day. Taylor is averaging an absurd 12.4 yards per touch and already has 14 total touchdowns through eight weeks — including four separate games with three or more scores. Simply put, no one in football is doing it better. He’s on pace for a 20+ TD season, the clear RB1 overall, and legitimately belongs in both the Offensive Player of the Year and MVP conversations.
Oronde Gadsden II (TE, LAC) — Gadsden’s breakout run continued in Week 8, hauling in 5 receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown, marking his third straight game with 68+ yards. The rookie has quickly become a trusted option for Justin Herbert, showing elite route-running and reliable hands from the tight end spot. With the Chargers’ offense leaning more on short and intermediate passing, Gadsden’s usage keeps trending up — he’s emerging as a weekly fantasy starter and one of the best young tight ends in football. His chemistry with Herbert looks real, and the production backs it up.
James Cook (RB, BUF) — Cook exploded for his best game of the season, slicing through Carolina’s defense for 216 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries — a jaw-dropping 12.0 yards per carry. The Bills fed him relentlessly up the middle, and he turned every crease into a highlight run. After back-to-back dud performances, this was a statement game that reminded everyone of Cook’s elite burst and vision. He didn’t even need a single reception to rack up 33.6 fantasy points, and honestly, it could’ve been a 300-yard day if Buffalo hadn’t pulled back late. This is the version of Cook fantasy managers have been waiting for.
Tucker Kraft (TE, GB) — Kraft put on a primetime clinic against the Steelers, bulldozing defenders en route to 7 receptions, 143 yards, and 2 touchdowns on 9 targets. It was his second 100+ yard game of the season and another reminder of his early-season dominance before injuries slowed him down. A full 25% of Jordan Love’s passes went his way, showing that the chemistry between the two is back in full force. If Kraft keeps this up, he’s not just a weekly TE1 — he’s the kind of difference-maker that wins fantasy matchups single-handedly.
Jaylen Waddle (WR, MIA) — Waddle finally looked like his old self, catching 5 of 6 targets for 99 yards and a touchdown in a bounce-back performance that reignited the Dolphins’ passing game. With Tyreek Hill still sidelined, Waddle has clearly stepped up as the team’s WR1, topping 95 yards in three of his last four games. His timing with Tua Tagovailoa was sharp all afternoon, as he consistently found space in coverage and turned short routes into chunk gains. After three sluggish weeks for Miami’s offense, Waddle’s resurgence was exactly what fantasy managers needed — and it looks sustainable.
Dallas Goedert (TE, PHI) — Goedert continues to be Jalen Hurts’ favorite red-zone weapon, catching all three of his targets for 28 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles’ 38–20 win over the Giants. That brings him to seven touchdowns in his last six games, a remarkable streak for a tight end who isn’t seeing heavy volume. While his usage remains inconsistent — just three targets this week — his efficiency and chemistry with Hurts are undeniable. The Eagles have leaned more on the passing game lately, and Goedert’s knack for finding the end zone keeps him locked in as a must-start TE1 despite the volatility.
Underperformers
Bijan Robinson (RB, ATL) — Fantasy football can be cruel, and Bijan found that out the hard way this week. In what looked like a dream matchup against a Miami defense shredded by running backs all season, Robinson managed just 48 total yards (25 rushing, 23 receiving) and lost a fumble. Atlanta’s offense stalled early, forcing them to abandon the run and limiting Bijan’s touches in the fourth quarter. He still played his usual 76% of snaps through three quarters, so usage wasn’t the issue — game script was. Don’t overreact — this was a rare off week for an elite RB1 who should rebound in Week 9 against New England.
Christian McCaffrey (RB, SF) — For the first time all season, McCaffrey looked human. He touched the ball just 11 times for 68 total yards — including 25 rushing yards on eight carries and three receptions for 43 yards — as the 49ers’ offense sputtered with Mac Jones under center. Strangely, CMC didn’t record a single touch in the first quarter, an odd choice against one of the league’s best pass defenses. Even in a down week, he still played over 95% of the offensive snaps, reinforcing his unrivaled role. Fantasy managers shouldn’t panic — this was an outlier performance. Expect a strong bounce-back in Week 9 against the Giants.
Emeka Egbuka (WR, TB) — With both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin sidelined, Egbuka was expected to step into a featured role — but things didn’t go as planned. He caught just 3 of 9 targets for 35 yards, struggling to connect with an erratic Baker Mayfield, who missed several open looks and stalled multiple drives. While Egbuka led the team in targets, his 33% catch rate marked his second straight inefficient outing, suggesting his hamstring may still be limiting him. The Buccaneers’ upcoming Week 9 bye comes at the perfect time for recovery, and he should return to fantasy relevance once healthy and paired with sharper quarterback play.
T.J. Hockenson (TE, MIN) — Hockenson’s quiet stretch continued Thursday night, catching just 2 of 3 targets for 26 yards in a blowout loss to the Chargers. Minnesota’s offense never found rhythm, and Hockenson was largely an afterthought as J.J. McCarthy leaned on short passes and checkdowns. He’s still too talented to bench outright, but his recent lack of involvement is frustrating for fantasy managers who drafted him as a top-tier tight end. A Week 9 matchup against Detroit offers a bit of revenge-game intrigue, but until his target volume rebounds, Hockenson is trending more toward a mid-range TE1 than an elite option.
Darnell Mooney (WR, ATL) — Mooney was one of the biggest fantasy letdowns of Week 8. With Drake London ruled out, he looked primed for a breakout — but instead caught just one pass for 11 yards in a game where Atlanta trailed throughout. Kirk Cousins took multiple deep shots his way, but the two couldn’t connect, leaving managers who streamed Mooney empty-handed. It’s another reminder of Mooney’s boom-or-bust nature, and his lingering hamstring issues aren’t helping consistency. Even if London misses more time, Mooney should remain on fantasy benches until he proves he can deliver when opportunity knocks.
Drop / Fade Candidates
Spencer Rattler (QB, NO) — Rattler hit rock bottom in Week 8, getting benched late in the third quarter after committing two turnovers and leading a lifeless Saints offense. He finished 15-of-21 for 136 yards, one interception, and a lost fumble before rookie Tyler Shough came in — and promptly threw a pick of his own. Neither quarterback provided any spark as New Orleans managed just three points. Regardless of who starts in Week 9 against the Rams, neither belongs anywhere near a fantasy roster. Rattler is a clear drop candidate in all formats.
Marvin Mims Jr. (WR, DEN) — Mims’ slide continued in Week 8, as he was held without a catch and later left the game with a concussion. Meanwhile, Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant both found the end zone and cemented themselves as Denver’s go-to receivers alongside Courtland Sutton. Mims has now posted two or fewer receptions in four of his last six games, and his snap share keeps trending down each week. With J.K. Dobbins, R.J. Harvey, and Evan Engram all locked into consistent roles, Mims has become the odd man out in a crowded, stagnant offense. Time to move on — he’s a clear drop candidate in all but the deepest leagues.
Isaiah Likely (TE, BAL) — Nothing has gone right for Likely this season. After missing the first four games with a broken foot, he’s struggled to regain form — and the timing couldn’t have been worse, as Lamar Jackson’s injury forced Baltimore to roll with backup quarterbacks. Since returning, Likely hasn’t topped two receptions in any game, and his chemistry with the backups has been nonexistent. There’s always a chance he rekindles some of that 2024 magic once Lamar returns, but for now, he’s simply not producing enough to justify a roster spot. Unless you’re in a deep league, it’s time to cut bait.
Xavier Legette (WR, CAR) — Legette’s fantasy arrow continues to point down as Jalen Coker gains steam in Carolina’s offense. After returning from injury, Coker saw his role expand significantly, playing 82% of snaps in three-receiver sets — up from 60% last week — and even stealing two snaps in two-receiver formations, where Legette had previously been locked in. The rookie managed just 2 receptions for 17 yards, while Coker caught three for 36. With Carolina’s passing volume already limited, Legette’s shrinking role makes him droppable in most leagues. Unless he regains a firm hold on two-WR sets, his fantasy relevance may be gone for now.
Injuries & Role Watch
Cam Skattebo (RB, NYG) — Brutal news for one of fantasy’s emerging breakout backs — Cam Skattebo suffered a dislocated right ankle in Sunday’s loss to Philadelphia and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. The injury occurred on a short target where his foot got caught awkwardly under a defender, forcing him to be carted off and later taken to the hospital. Skattebo had become the Giants’ clear lead back, logging 15+ carries in four straight games before the injury.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. stepped in and handled 28 of the final 36 snaps, turning 12 touches into 53 yards and immediately establishing himself as the next man up. He’s available in over half of fantasy leagues and should be the top waiver target of the week. Devin Singletary also mixed in (3 touches, 28 yards) and now moves into the No. 2 role, worth stashing only in deeper formats.
Quinshon Judkins (RB, CLE) — Judkins exited Sunday’s blowout loss to New England with a shoulder injury after logging 12 touches (9 carries for 19 yards, 3 catches for -2 yards). He was quickly ruled out after initially being listed as questionable. The rookie had been handling over 75% of Cleveland’s early-down snaps in recent weeks, but once he went down, Dylan Sampson took over and played 19 of the final 27 snaps, reclaiming the primary role he held early in the season. Fortunately, Cleveland’s Week 9 bye comes at an ideal time, giving Judkins a chance to recover. Fantasy managers should monitor reports closely — if healthy after the bye, Judkins remains a strong RB2, but if the injury lingers, Sampson could become an intriguing short-term option.
Saquon Barkley (RB, PHI) — Barkley reminded everyone why he’s a fantasy superstar before exiting with a groin injury late in the third quarter. He piled up 174 total yards and two touchdowns in a dominant showing, looking as explosive as ever. Thankfully, the injury doesn’t appear serious — Barkley said postgame that he expects to play in Week 10 after the Eagles’ bye. Philadelphia likely kept him out as a precaution with the game already in hand. Tank Bigsby took over in the fourth quarter and impressed with 104 rushing yards on nine carries, making him the clear handcuff to stash in deeper leagues. Expect Barkley to be ready after the bye and resume his elite RB1 production.
Final Thoughts
Week 8 reaffirmed that workhorse backs still matter, but usage and matchups are increasingly critical. Emerging players like Oronde Gadsden II and Tucker Kraft offer upside, while some traditional stars (McCaffrey, Robinson) are less safe than they once were. Injuries and role rotations continue to shift the waiver-wire landscape.
Stay sharp. Keep tabs on snapshots of usage and snap-count movement. The next few weeks are pivotal for lineup decisions and playoff positioning. Lock in your starters early but keep one eye on the waiver wire—this is a pivotal stretch before the playoff push.
